September 29, 2011

Last week, F.I.S.H. (Friends In Service Here) of Sanibel announced that the Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Foundation, Inc. has become its first Gold Sponsor of the 10K Race 4 F.I.S.H., scheduled to take place on Saturday, Oct. 15.

This is the second year that the Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club has taken a Gold Sponsorship in this race.

"We are delighted to be the Gold Sponsor again this year for the 10K Race 4 F.I.S.H.," said John Morse, President of the Kiwanis Club of Sanibel-Capitva Islands. "Kiwanis has been a long term supporter; we are particularly impressed with the children's programs that F.I.S.H. has developed for island children. We admire the work that F.I.S.H. does on the islands and think that the make a significant difference in people's lives.Taking a Gold Sponsorship in their main fundraising event F.I.S.H. undertakes is a natural extension of our ongoing support."

Article Photos

The Sanibel School National Junior Honors Society have put together a team to run in the F.I.S.H. 10K along with their advisor, Diane Cortese, who is also running in the race. They are pictured here with F.I.S.H. 10K co-chairs John Pryor and Ed Ridlehoover.

From left, Kiwanis President John Morse with F.I.S.H. President Bill Fellows, Ed Ridlehoover, Peter Bender and John Pryor (co-chairs of the F.I.S.H. 10K Committee).

The race, which begins at the Sanibel Community House at 7:30 a.m., will follow a marked 10K circuit around the island, returning to the Sanibel Community House for the finish line.

"We are looking for as many of our Kiwanis members to take part in the Oct. 15 race, either as runners or as race marshals," added Morse.

In addition to the road race, there will be a trade exposition aimed at the runners and their families and friends, as well as refreshment tables and water stations around the island for runners. The 10K Race 4 F.I.S.H. is being held in conjunction with the Fort Myers Track Club and is expected to attract more than 400 runners this year.

"A big thank you to Kiwanis for supporting F.I.S.H.," said Bill Fellows, President of F.I.S.H. "Their support again this year is very important to us it enables F.I.S.H. to continue to help our neighbors on Sanibel and Captiva."

Also last week, Island Graphics signed on to become a Silver Sponsor of the race. The high quality, on-island printing company has been a major supporter of F.I.S.H. for many years, providing printing services and preparing materials for community events on Sanibel and Captiva. They are a first time Silver Sponsor of the event.

"Island Graphics has been a great supporter of F.I.S.H. over many years," noted Fellows. "We are delighted to welcome them as a Silver Sponsor for the F.I.S.H. 10K this year, which is our major fundraising event."

You can win a beautiful Tag Heuer Aquaracer watch, donated by Lily & Co for the 10K Race 4 F.I.S.H. this year. The winner can choose between a women's or men's Tag Heuer watch, tickets are $10 each and are available at the F.I.S.H. Walk-In Center, located at 1630 Periwinkle Way, from Lily & Co., located at 520 Tarpon Bay Road, or from any F.I.S.H. board member. All proceeds from this fundraiser will go to F.I.S.H. of Sanibel, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization serving Sanibel and Captiva.

"We are also very excited about the race this year; we are getting some great support from our local businesses, as well as from the greater Fort Myers area and we think the race will be an even greater success this year," said Fellows.